Malena (2000) User Reviews

More than just Monica.

[LegionAvalon · 8/10 · 28 November 2010]

On the face of it, this movie is about a young boy's fantasies as he falls in love with the image of an older woman. I say 'image' because he doesn't know her at all to begin with, but as he watches, her increasingly sad truth is seen through his eyes.

It's also about Sicily during the war, but deeper than that, to me, it seems to be about the mob mind, jealousy and hatred and about how people tend to become what is expected of them, or don't.

Monica Bellucci is undeniably among the sexiest women alive and her near wordless performance is mesmerising. My only criticism is the somewhat stereotypical way that the 'men' are portrayed. Perhaps there's some truth that we are all driven from an area below the waist, but I'd like to think it's not true of all of us.

8/10.

The battle, the bike, the boy and the babe.

[shanfloyd · 8/10 · 8 May 2006]

Maléna is a wonderfully crafted, mature and subtle tale of dedication, passion and true realization of beauty. The fantastic story revolves around the teenage boy Renato, ever on his bicycle, who falls in a rather platonic love with the town's beauty Maléna. I use the word 'platonic' because I felt Renato's passions towards Maléna's outstanding sexual beauty were mostly of profound appreciation, not just his own voluntary arousal of his sexuality, though the film has many scenes of his musterbation. And all these happens when Italy went to the World War.

Expressions of the War came in every aspect of the film, even in Renato's feelings towards Malena or the hatred towards those men who wanted her. Guiseppe Sulfaro did an outstanding job in this extremely demanding role. My hats off to him. The goddess-like Monica Bellucci rarely looks up or speaks in this film. Besides providing the audience the guilty pleasures, she did a wonderful job in creating the aura of sadness and melancholy around her character. I considered hers is a fine piece of acting.

The girl in the villa

[jotix100 · 8/10 · 5 September 2005]

In a way, "Malena" kept reminding us of a famous photograph by Ruth Orkin, in which a young American woman is seen walking alone in an Italian street where there must be at least twenty men ogling this beautiful beautiful creature in different degrees of desire, shouting things about what they would love to do with her.

In Giuseppe Tornatore's "Malena", the young woman at the center of the story, suffers that kind of sexual predatory practice from all the men in the little town in Sicily where she lives. It appears Italian men, then, as well as now, can express anything at all, especially for their big friends' benefit, their opinions of how they feel about a woman. Even the town's ladies have no qualms in shouting nasty things as Malena passes them by.

If you haven't seen the film, perhaps you would like to stop reading.

The film takes place during the last days of WWII. Malena's husband has gone to war, but he never returns. She is left to fend for herself under the most extreme circumstances. In order to make ends meet, all the men in town offer Malena anything so they can get favors from her in return.

Watching all this is Renato, a young man who has reached puberty and is completely taken by Malena's beauty. Renato follows this woman all over the town. Whenever Malena is coming into view, Renato abandons his bicycle and makes a point to pass near this gorgeous creature almost breathing her aura.

A lot of people in this forum have expressed their views in making "Malena" a coming of age film. But contrary to what they might take, Mr. Tornatore, its director, like most film makers in Europe are influenced by the politics and the history of their country. In here, it appears that Malena stands for the way Italy was manipulated by Mussolini in transforming the country into a fascist paradise. Also Malena, like Italy, is turned into a prostitute in the eyes of many Italians, who watched their beloved country invaded by the Germans, who were supposed to be their allies.

"Malena" is a film that is blessed by the presence of that amazingly beautiful actress Monica Belucci. Ms. Belucci is perfect for the title role and runs away with the film. In one of the most hear wrenching scenes in this movie, we watch in horror as the other women in town have their revenge in punishing Malena for what they perceive are her sins and her collaboration with the enemy.

Young Giuseppe Sulfaro is seen as the appealing Renato Amoroso, the young man awakening to his own sexuality. He lives just to spy on the woman that has captured his imagination, and even in his solitary gratification she plays a large role in his vivid imagination.

"Malena" owes a lot to Giuseppe Tornatore for what he has been able to accomplish.

Viva Tornatore!

[paulcreeden · 22 January 2001]

I found the film to be visually hypnotic and very moving. I was also impressed with the film maker's story telling technique. The film brought me into the bustling street life of the Sicilian village by eye-level camera work and the comments of the people in crowded scenes, through which I was taken with the characters. Just like walking down a busy urban street anywhere with your ears and eyes open. The film made me wake up to the fact that so much American film, perhaps all contemporary film, is composed mainly of close ups with two or a few people. Not this film. There is a sequence with airplanes overhead that is absolutely dizzying without any fancy 3-D or pyrotechnic effects. Mr. Tornatore brilliantly uses silent stares, pairs of eyes and silly dream sequences with amazing effect. The male lead, an adolescent boy, is portrayed with great empathy by Giuseppe Sulfaro without schmaltz or sanitizing, so typical in American films about puberty. The title role, played well by a dazzling Monica Bellucci, could have been written for a young Sophia Loren. (My dream sequence, I guess) My favorite character was Renato's father, hilariously played by Luciano Federico. A must see.

Cinematographic Symphony

[lkil · 9/10 · 19 June 2004]

Malena is a beautiful and deeply touching film. It is a masterful combination of sites, sounds and colors. The two leading actors (Monica Bellucci and Giuseppe Sulfaro) are simply excellent at what they are supposed to convey in this movie. Apart from her truly majestic elegance, Monica Bellucci invests her character (Malena) with an aura of tragedy, of some profound and unrelenting emotional trauma and pain which remains unspoken throughout the film and reaches its climax at the very end. Malena's stunningly beautiful eyes remain constantly downcast, and her face -- tense and pierced through by psychic pain (she rarely raises her face, let alone speaks words). Renato (the teenage boy) wins his audience by his incredibly pure and valiant love for Malena (this affection he carries in his heart for several years). She becomes his muse, his courage, his sense of honor, his whole rationale for confronting difficult and disruptive life of the war-torn Italy. I agree completely with another commentator who said that the ending of the movie is perhaps one of the most genuinely melancholic moments in modern cinematography. Simply brilliant. Superb music! This movie should be watched several times to be fully appreciated.

Hell hath no fury like relentless gossip.

[Anonymous_Maxine · 10/10 · 21 March 2005]

Malena is a film that gives the impression that there are no innocent parties. The men are guilty of dirty, lustful thoughts (and some of more than just thoughts), the women are guilty of gossip, violence and probably more than a little envy, and Malena is guilty of being a homewrecker. But in looking back at the movie it seems that what caused the problems were two things – gossip and something like insecurity.

Roger Ebert wrote probably the most idiotic review I've ever seen him come out with about this movie. He missed the point of this movie even more than he missed the point of Memento, and his review of that movie was like a blind man describing a shooting star. He describes Malena as a schoolteacher "of at least average intelligence, who must be aware of her effect on the collective local male libido, but seems blissfully oblivious."

Roger, seriously, are you joking? BLISSFULLY?? Did you sleep through this movie?

She almost never speaks at all and never displays even the slightest hint of a smile. Given the extent of her depression and stifling sadness, it is astounding to me that anyone in their right mind could attach the word "blissfully" to any element of her character.

I know what that's like though, because sometimes I completely miss something about a movie and I think that something else is the stupidest thing in the world because of it, at least until someone explains what I missed and then it all makes sense. Watch Malena, for example, walking through the central square in town at any point in the movie. If you think she keeps her eyes on the ground directly in front of her because she is in a state of pure, ignorant bliss, then trust me. You are missing something.

I don't know if Malena was actually unaware of the effect that she had on the townspeople, but I find it nearly impossible to believe that she did. That thought actually never even occurred to me until I read Roger Ebert's gem of a review. Her behavior struck me much more like someone who had been dealing with such behavior from the men around for her whole life. I doubt very much that she doesn't understand the concepts of human physical attraction.

Moving on. Set against the backdrop of World War II reminded me of Life is Beautiful, especially given the uncertain mix of comedy and tragedy. It wasn't as powerful on both sides here as in Life is Beautiful, but it was truly heartbreaking to see Malena suffering and trying to ignore the increasing tension that was being generated around her.

It's hard to say that she was a victim of her own beauty, but it was really what drove all of the conflict in the story. The women at first seemed to be upset with their husbands because of their stares, and things got worse and worse because of the endless gossip which seemed to monopolize the talk of the entire town. If anyone was talking about anything, it had something to do with the latest sexual escapades of Malena.

Women would not sell her good food at the town market, so she had to get it from men who expected things in return. There was a scene where an officer was at her home, but I don't think there was any indication that they had sex. It was clear that he was more interested than she was, and later it was her that wound up in court for having an amorous relationship with a married man in uniform. The courtroom performance of Malena's lawyer, by the way, is one of the highlights of the movie.

I'm not really sure how to feel about the women involved in the climax of their collective hatred of Malena, because surely Malena did not sleep with the husband of every woman involved, and of those whose husbands committed no crime other than looking at a beautiful woman, what did they then think of their wives, who would do such a thing out of pure jealousy and envy? I'm a man myself; so I can't speak from a woman's point of view, but if your husband cheats on you, take it out on him. Don't go and beat up the subject of his affections, especially if it is nothing more than a beautiful woman that he looked at. Imagine all of the attractive women beaten up without knowing why.

Weaving his way throughout all of this chaos is Renato, a 12-year-old boy who has conceptualized Malena as the ideal woman in all ways. He sees himself as her protector, desperate to save her from the tension that he sees growing around her, the unfair antagonism that is being leveled at her, for really no fault of her own. His identification of Malena as the subject of his developing sexuality reminded me of another great film, The Hairdresser's Husband. If you liked this, see that one, too. Oh and if you're Roger Ebert, maybe watch this one again.

And stay awake this time.

Nostalgic and sensitive picture with a ravishing Monica Belucci

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 11 October 2006]

The film is developed on WWII in a small town from Sicily,there live an adolescent(Renato)coming of age,he is obsessed of a married woman(Monica Belucci)whose husband was to the war.The young man tries to help her but he is enamored and is too young .We see him growing up during a few years and by Malena he changes his life forever.

The picture contains drama and nostalgia completely wrapped in an enjoyable love story between an innocent young boy and a beautiful woman.The movie gets a sharply social critical about village customs,habits and gossips leading to mistreats and violence. The story is narrated with great sense and sensibility,the intelligent screenplay is by Luciano Vincenzoni(Sergio Leone's usual screenwriter).Gorgeous Monica Bellucci is sensational although she barely talks throughout the movie and the starring boy is sympathetic and agreeable;another actors are good but they are unknown.Glowing cinematography with scenarios colorfully and splendidly photographed by Lajos Koltai who reflects the elegant beauty Monica Belucci.Sensible and moving score musical by the veteran master and prolific Ennio Morricone who was nominated with a deserved Academy Award.The picture is produced by the great American brothers producers:Harvey and Bob Weinsten and well directed by Giuseppe Tornatore who made a similar nostalgic film,the excellent¨Cinema Paradise¨. Ratting :Better than average,well worth watching by a beautiful,exceptional Monica Bellucci.

Very good

[zetes · 9/10 · 20 July 2015]

Sicily, 1940. A teenage boy (Giuseppe Sulfaro) is initiated into manhood when his friends introduce him to the glories of Malena (Monica Belluci), the most beautiful woman in town. Sulfaro becomes obsessed, following her wherever she goes on his bike, and he even spies on her in her home. His obsession is not the only one, as much as he wishes and wants to believe it were - the whole town worships her. Every man wants to have her, and every woman is deeply jealous of that fact. And, man, does that make life hard for Malena - her husband is fighting the war in Africa, and the rumors are flying, making life nearly impossible. Sulfaro might see her as a sex object initially, but the more he observes the more he sympathizes. This film begins as an enjoyable comedy, but it grows deeply serious. The climax is one of the harshest, most potent sequences I've seen in a long while. One will recognize the nostalgic tone of the movie if you're familiar with Cinema Paradiso, but I think this is actually a stronger film. Excellent.

beautiful Monica

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 16 May 2016]

It's 1940 Castelcuto, Sicily. Mussolini has just declared war on France and Britain. Renato is a 12 year old boy. He gets a new bike and joins a group of local boy. They are obsessed with Nino's new wife Malèna Scordia (Monica Bellucci). He starts spying on her and having erotic dreams about her. Her husband dies in the war. In the town, the men are obsessed and the women are jealous. Rumors of affairs with married men lead to a court trial.

If this is a story about Malèna, it could be something great. However, she's really more of an object and what a beautiful object she is. This is really a coming of age story about Renato. We're seeing Malèna through his eyes. In many ways, he has to be more compelling as a character played by a more charismatic actor. He needs to have friends to play with. He needs to have connections other than an imaginary one with Malèna. There has to more satisfying conversations. He's obsessed with a naked Monica Bellucci. Who isn't? That probably is worth some extra points somehow.

It's allegory people...

[thepetshopboy · 9/10 · 10 November 2002]

Saw this in 2000 at a special Italian consulate screening in LA at which Tornatore spoke afterwards (and before a directors cut of Cinema Paradiso). After reading so many critical reviews I just wanted to note that Tornatore describes this film not as a "coming of age" picture (that in essence is what Paradiso is) but rather an allegory of Italy's foray into war and fascism as seen through the eyes of an innocent (in this case Tornatore himself). Malena represents all that Italy was and is to him, both beautiful, easily misled, and misunderstood, and the climatic scene in which she is beaten down is in essence what happened to the country post Mussolini and WWII. Watch it again with this concept in mind and your view of the film will dramatically alter.

She was too beautiful and he was too young to protect her.

[Lady_Targaryen · 7/10 · 11 October 2006]

''Malèna'' is a nice movie starring Monica Bellucci, one of her greatest roles in the movies, that also projected her to the United States. (Since she was limited to European films until then)

Set in 1940 during World War II, just as Italy enters the war, we see through the eyes of the boy Renato, the story of Malèna, a beautiful woman who's moved to his Sicilian town to be with her husband Nico. But as soon as they move, Nino leaves to serve in the war, leaving Malena sad but having to deal with it. Being desired by the men and criticized by the women, a lot of gossips about Malena's life are made by the people from town, and basically all of them are bad things. And her only sin is to be beautiful. During the next few years, Renato grows toward manhood and he watches Malèna suffer more and more: her loneliness and sadness, specially when Nico is reported dead, the effects of the gossips on her relationship with her father, the poverty she eventually reaches and even her search for work, that ends in prostitution.

The irony of the story, is that only Renato, a young boy who cannot help Malena, knows that she is a good person and that she was forced to do many of the things even to survive.

But Spite of the many sad things that Malena needs to handle, and also showing the humiliations she suffers, the final message of the movie is positive, being about forgiveness and "redemption", since at the end of the movie, Malena's life returned to normal, not only having her husband Nico back, but also being treated very well by the townspeople.

What a beautiful surprise.

[sbekam · 9/10 · 11 January 2001]

What a beautiful surprise. I loved Malena for its honesty, simplicity and the way it portrayed the life of the young boy in the early 40's. It reminded my of a lot of good movies I have seen throughout my life. Malena is one of those movies that gets stuck in your mind. I enjoyed the movie very much and recommend it to all.

Women oppression

[lunablacklight · 6/10 · 26 February 2016]

First of all, if there is any mistakes in my grammar I apologize. English is not my first language.

The film is a piece of art in many topics. Bellucci's character was perfect for her. Most of all because her character winks her real life career and stereotypes. It would be perfect if at the end, Malena will return as she has always been. Not as a prudent married woman. The film is great but after all the exaggeration with her sex appeal and the city people obsession that was most at all misogynist. The least that the plot should did was to make a strong statement about women reality and oppression conditions. And for more reasons because of the historic and political moment where the story takes place. This diminish the film significance for me.

The Chronicles of Stalker.

[Kdosda_Hegen · 5/10 · 28 April 2021]

It's impossible to talk about this film without spoilers.

This is one of the most disgusting films I've ever seen. In this film pretty much all men are horny sex addicts, all women are jealous witches. Malena who is a widow, gets attention from every man and woman in town. All men want to have sex with her and all women want to "kill" her, because she 'steals' their husbands (even though she is not). She does nothing wrong, but many women humiliate her and many men rape her. Yet, Malena is put to blame for everything. Later on women even beat her and cut her hair off...

The whole film is shown from the protagonist eyes, who is himself not saint, he is a creepy stalker, yet still morally the purest character in the film. He knows the truth and condemns everyone even avengers Malena on many ocasions but no matter how hard he tries there are too many evil people and he can only watch how they damage Malena. In the end of the film Malena leaves town but years later she returns as a faithful wife (which she always was) and everyone now respects her... Doesn't make any sense, but whatever, I get the idea.

Oh, and don't get me started on boy's father. He at first condemns his son as a pervert and disgrace to the family but later on, he insists and literally brings his boy to a brothel to pays for the services... (I assumed). It felt completely out of character.

This film is a disgrace to humanity, it was extremely unsatisfying to watch, it was disgusting and painful. The only thing I like in it is that it condemns everyone in it, but it does not save the film from its filth.

Beautiful and sad film

[carpediem76 · 3 February 2006]

I do not remember who, but some critic, complained about not knowing what Malena thought and not being able to see her act and speak more in a movie...

I am sure all of us, especially in our childhoods, were once so deeply infatuated by another human being, that they were as sacred and as untouchable to us as Da Vinci's Giaconda.

That is why Malena is portrayed as a work of art who always looks down, burdened by her beauty. We can only suspect what she feels and we can enjoy the sight of her sad gorgeous face.

And absolutely no words are necessary!

This film compliments the saying: BE BORN HAPPY RATHER THAN BEAUTIFUL

I do agree that Monica Belucci, who I consider to be the most beautiful actress alive and one of the most enchanting beauties in the world, was perfect for this part!

A film which practically has everything; some funny moments,some touching ones, and also features the Most Beautiful Creature Ever Set Foot On Earth: Monica Bellucci!

[Mitsaso_X · 10/10 · 12 June 2004]

The first time I got to watch this utterly beautiful film, I knew nothing of the awesomeness of Giusseppe Tornatore (Cinema Paradiso) or the ethereal beauty of Monica Bellucci.

Well, all the needed knowledge flooded my mind within the two hours I spent watching Malena. It's a coming-of-age film, set in the World War 2 years in a small town of Sicily. The main lead is a young boy named Renato, and through his perfectly understandable obsession of a married woman named Malena (there couldn't be a more perfect cast than Monica Bellucci in this role),we get to see him maturing over a few years time. Most of the team focuses on Malena of course, but it's all through Renato's eyes (he's stalking her all the time), and his affection for her. It's no wonder that all males in the town (even teenagers) mostly view her as a hot piece of meat, but this boy's pure love is what eventually makes the difference in his (and her) life.

The ending credits will leave you with the "life goes on" aftermath and possibly the strongest feeling of melancholy you ever achieved from a movie.

Great cinematography, excellent performances from Monica Bellucci(though she barely speaks throughout the film) and the boy playing Renato, amazing score by the grand Maestro Ennio Morricone (nominated for an Oscar), this film has become my absolute favourite and Monica Bellucci my most recent (and strongest) obsession! A perfect 10, though it might seem over the top to a few of you.

The Burden of Beauty

[lamaanhamid · 8/10 · 24 August 2010]

Although mellowed by a narrative through the eyes of an adolescent, Malena is a movie that attempts to critique the savagery inherent in the 'civilized' society of men. Through the story, the viewer is shown the cruelty that people are capable of as a collective unit, with each individual playing a small part. It attempts to lay bare the gross hypocrisy and fragile morals that hide just beneath the surface.

Malena is also a discourse on beauty, and its brutal power. The feverish lust it produces in a man, and the severe and horrible envy in a woman. The viewer's feelings of appreciation for Malena's beauty are slowly overtaken by a feeling of utter despair for Malena's beauty, which is the cause of all her woes.

Technically the film is true to its period - a small Italian village that passes through the crisis of the 2nd World War. The story unfolds through the eyes of a young boy, who carries us along on a journey of lust, love and maturity. We watch helplessly as his innocent perspectives about life are jarred by the realities of society, while he watches helplessly the misfortunes of the beautiful Malena.

A worthwhile film but a nebulous presentation.

[=G= · 7/10 · 18 July 2001]

"Malena" is about many things....the people of a small Sicilian town during WWII; a woman scorned by the town's women and admired by the town's men for her sensual beauty; and a pubescent boy's obsession with the woman as he comes of age. Obviously the product of a talented auteur because of its technical and artistic excellence and its many poignant moments, "Malena" fails to focus clearly on its story such that the end result is somewhat less than the sum of its parts. The director of "Cinema Paradiso", Giuseppe Tornatore, doesn't deliver a cogent product in "Malena" though the film has its moments. Recommended for more mature males.

'Malena' Almost Beyond Description

[ccthemovieman-1 · 9/10 · 4 November 2006]

A gorgeous, voluptuous woman is the object of attention in this World War II period piece, set in an Italian town. The star is a horny 13-year-old who fantasizes about a relationship with this grown woman, "Malena," a sexy lady who gets all the mens' attention in the town, and all the wrath of the jealous town women.

This is a strange film at times but beautifully filmed and almost always interesting. Monica Bellucci is indeed a feast for any male's eyes. She is almost beyond description, looks-wise. What happens to her, unfairly, near the end is not pleasant. Otherwise, it's a pretty humorous film in segments, especially with dialog between the young kid and his dad. Some of the lines there and at other places made me laugh right out loud. Some of the language is not really profane but it's certainly crude. The kid is not that likable nor are his friends.

There is a such a mixture of genres in here that is makes the movie fresh almost every time I see it, which has been three times so far.

Stylish and sexy

[Chris_Docker · 7/10 · 29 April 2001]

Stylish and sexy, Monica Bellucci parades beautifully and endlessly around photogenic Italian backdrops, arousing the adoration and sexual development of a young teenage boy. The rest of the town react in different, often extreme ways to her sexuality and the way it affects the township. European style cinema. Jointly produced between America (Miramax) and Italy, the film combines the opulent, realism of European cinema with the polish of US dollars. A delight to behold.

Slightly overrated but excellent all the same...

[Lorna1986 · 10/10 · 6 December 2004]

When this movie was released the buzz was huge... Mostly because it starred the walking-talking male fantasy, Monica Bellucci. It did the rounds around various Film Festivals and even the most skeptical critics were won over. They were won over by many things... The scenery is stunning, making you feel like you're really in Sicily. The acting is subtle but superb. And it's this that is most shocking. Monica Bellucci was, when this film was released, a model-turning-actress. No-one expected her to actually be good, and we were right, she wasn't good... she is amazing in this film!! Bellucci has very little dialogue, she has to use body language and facial expressions... most people would agree this is much more difficult. Since this film, she has gone on to be Italy's most successful acting export for years. With roles in Matrix 2 & 3, Tears Of The Sun, and the truly ground-breaking Irreversible, she has proved herself time and time again! What her character goes through is heartbreaking and, through Bellucci's acting and the wonderful performance given by protagonist narrator Renato (Giuseppe Sulfaro), we experience everything she does.

At times the movie is hilarious, particularly when detailing the lengths the men of the village will go to just to catch glimpse of Malena. Mostly though, the film shows how jealousy and subsequent hatred can destroy anything and anyone. This movie will stay with you for a very long time!!

8.5/10

Hollywoods bad influence on the films of Giuseppe Tornatore

[frankde-jong · 6/10 · 6 October 2020]

"Malena" is in the first place about a teenage boy falling for a more mature woman. As such it is rather simplistic. Much attention is paid to the erotic fantasies of the boy. This gives rise to a couple of nude scenes leading to the suspicion that the director is applying the "Betty Blue" (1986, Jean Jacques Beineix) trick. With that I mean wrapping up nude in a quasi serious story. All in all, from all the films I have seen about a teenage boy falling for an older woman ("Girl with a suitcase" (1961, Valerio Zurlini), "Y tu mama tambien" (2001, Alfonso Cuaron) and last but not least the film by which Tornatore obviously was inspired "Amarcord" (1973, Federico Fellini)) "Malena" is the weakest.

Malena (played by Monica Bellucci) is not only having an effect on teenage boys but also on the local adult men. She is the "femme fatale" who proves to be "fatale" mostly to herself. This part of the story is more interesting. It is sort of a mix between "American beauty" (1999, Sam Mendes) and "Fury" (1936, Fritz Lang). "American beauty" by the way the adult and adulterous men can't imagine that the object of their desires is less sex driven then they are. "Fury" by the way the women are blinded by jealousy and don't blame their husbands for their adulterous thoughts but the woman that induced these thoughts.

Just as in "La vita e bella" (1997, Roberto Benigni) the German soldiers are the villains in "Malena", which is remarkable when one bears in mind that Germany and Italy were allies in at least the first few years of the Second World War.

Giuseppe Tornatore is best known for "Nuovo Cinema Paradiso" (1988). In this film a little Sicilian boy is falling in love not with an older woman, but with cinema itself. Just as "Malena" this film is told as a flashback, the main character already being of old age. "Nuovo Cinema Paradiso is bittersweet and full of nostalgia. "Malena" desperately seeks the same mood, but does not create it. My hypothesis is that the influence of Hollywood (the producer of "Malena" is the infamous Harvey Weinstein) has something to do with it.

A masterpiece.

[Lambysalamby · 10/10 · 10 May 2015]

Wow, just finished this, totally blown away. This is a shining example of European film. You just do not get movies like this from Hollywood. It must easily be one of the best films I have ever seen. (and I have seen a lot!)

This is a deeply sad movie which you could actually compare to the Elephant Man, albeit for beauty, not ugliness, I won't say any more about the story than that.

The direction, cinematography and the score here are all flawless but the most amazing thing about this film was Monica Belluci, her subtle performance is beautiful and I could not imagine another actress in the role..

The thing that is so poignant about the performance she gave is that she has very little dialogue at all, but the deep sorrow you could see on her face and in her eyes was astonishing.

Overall: You'd be hard pressed to find a better film today so watch this one. It's an unforgettable masterpiece and I'm speechless.

Malèna - Ravishing beauty yet 'resistable'

[fredberglyle · 7/10 · 16 August 2013]

Malèna Scordia shown as an object of desire for men and an object to envy for women. Set in 1940, the movie deals with the story of 27 year old beautiful widow in an Italian village. From the eyes of Renato, a 12 year old, Malèna arouses sensual feelings (quite normal as the other kids in the neighborhood) and I admire the way the director shows it in a series of scenes. The way the boy's father beats and scolds deserves laugh and applause. IMO, I feel that the director pushed way too hard abusing the character (Malèna) almost every other scene and it makes the viewers feel that the village women ain't got other work than abusing the poor widow. The level of sentiment quotient in this work makes it one short of being 'Irresistible', yet Monica Bellucci looks Irresistible in the scene where she is dressed as the Holy Mother

A real mixed bag...a lot of good and a lot of bad

[planktonrules · 4/10 · 3 June 2007]

This is an Italian coming of age film about a young man who was entering his teen years when WWII began. In some ways it reminds me of a combination of AMARCORD and THE SUMMER OF '42--as at least in the beginning, the film focused on ordinary small town folk during the war (like in AMARCORD) and a bunch of very horny boys (like SUMMER OF '42). The problem is that while the film began well, it seems to have lost its focus and charm. While WWII isn't exactly a "charming" period, the likability of ANYONE in the film was a problem. The townspeople turned out to be quite vile and the leading character seemed to have some serious sexual hangups (such as voyeurism and fetishism)--plus he spent so much time masturbating. Now they didn't show masturbation explicitly, but the little goomer was clearly playing with himself again and again with great gusto! In hindsight, I would have dropped all the sexual hangups the kid had because it tended to deflect the focus in the film. The film was at its best when it showed human nature, as the townspeople gossiped about and mistreated a decent lady just because she was so beautiful. Then, when she was apparently widowed and broke with no one to help her, she slept with the Nazi occupiers to survive. This and the peoples' reaction to this after the war was really fascinating but unfortunately so much time was spent on this horny kid that the significance of the rest of the film was lost.

Oh, and if you want good parenting advice, just look to the boy's father. To cure his chronic masturbation and wearing the lady's stolen underwear on his head while he slept, his father took him to a prostitute. Now THAT'S something I don't remember reading in Dr. Spock!!